GOP candidates’ wives are less disliked than their husbands

posted at 7:05 pm on March 20, 2012 by Tina Korbe

Why this should come as a surprise to anyone, I’m sure I don’t know. It’s far easier to be likable as a supportive spouse than as a candidate who’s bound to say some things with which voters disagree. Still, it must be a bit of a boost to these women in the midst of such a long, hard primary slog to learn that Americans don’t dislike them quite so much as they dislike their husbands.

Ann Romney, who has moved crowds with stories of how husband Mitt Romney has supported her in her struggles with multiple sclerosis, … is viewed favorably by 31%, and unfavorably by 22%–the former Massachusetts governor’s rating is 33/58.

Karen Santorum, mother of seven, holds a 31/27 rating. Her spouse, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, has a higher, 36% favorability rating, but a whopping 58% of voters gave him a thumbs-down.

Newt Gingrich’s third wife, Callista, is the most unpopular of the Republican first lady wannabes: only 18% of those surveyed saw her favorably, while 44% said the opposite. Her husband topped her favorability rating with a 28%, but 61% of those surveyed viewed him unfavorably—the highest disapproval rating of the lot.

The article made no mention of Ron Paul’s wife. For that matter, neither did the poll. Her name is Carol, in case you wondered, and she raised Rand, so she must be pretty OK.

As I read the ratings of these wives, though, it strikes me that Americans are one tough bunch to please. What politician or politician’s wife has a higher favorability rating than unfavorability rating? Actually, I have the answer: It’s Michelle Obama, who sits at a 54 percent favorable rating and a 34 percent unfavorable rating.

Part of that might just come with the territory of being First Lady: Laura Bush was always enormously popular, too. Either way, it’s impressive that Mrs. O has managed to hold on in a day and age when everyone is more interested in and apt to discuss what a person does wrong rather than what a person does right. Even more impressive when you consider that she has occasionally engaged in direct put-downs of the American people. (“For the first time in my adult lifetime, I’m really proud of my country … “)

Not to grow too sappy, but I’m grateful to the GOP women for bearing with all the media scrutiny without ever lashing out or bashing Americans for not seeing just how wonderful their husbands are. They deserve even more credit than they receive.

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Not to grow too sappy, but I’m grateful to the GOP women for bearing with all the media scrutiny without ever lashing out or bashing Americans for not seeing just how wonderful their husbands are. They deserve even more credit than they receive.
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Ann Romney was pretty hot in her day. She did as she was told popped out the kids on schedule and helped the nannies raise them. Didn’t bother with that whole career thing. That’s best left to the man of the house.

Another useless social commentary topic, Ms Korbe.
Where are the hard-hitting indictments of Leftist politics?
Where are the topics that document and expose leftist malfeasance in office? The topics highlighting their oath betrayals and undermining of the former strengths and securities of this nation?Where are the topics that advance the political ball against the Left?

No more of this RINO naval-gazing social-network-chimp-troupe-centric religious-phobic garbage. Please. Instead of just chattering about the passing parade served up / framed by leftist media strategists, can’t Hot Air actually focus on the Left’s devastating political and economic malfeasance? Or is that too ‘partisan’ a thing to ask of this place anymore / ever?

Ah…just wrote my take on Karen Santorum on the Rick Santorum/Republican women thread.

I haven’t seen as much of her as others, probably because I live in California, but got to see her on Piers Morgan last night,and I fell head over heels in love with her.

I think Ann Romney is a very nice lady, too, just like her husband is a very nice man, but Karen and Rick Santorum, whether you’re for him or agin him, strike me as absolutely genunine.

Calista comes across as cold — perhaps it’s the lacquered, platinum blonde hair and little suits. Both Karen and Ann seem a little softer and approachable in comparison. Also, there’s no getting around the fact that Calista is Newt’s third wife.

Anyway. Just gotta give Karen Santorum props for her interview with Piers last night. She did a great job.

Either way, it’s impressive that Mrs. O has managed to hold on in a day and age when everyone is more interested in and apt to discuss what a person does wrong rather than what a person does right. Even more impressive when you consider that she has occasionally engaged in direct put-downs of the American people. (“For the first time in my adult lifetime, I’m really proud of my country … “)

Well Tina, you got the last part right. She’s managed to “hold on” because she has an entire propaganda machine working on her behalf, and is an expert at perpetuating myths about her and Barry’s underprivileged childhoods and other fabulists’ tales.

If Governor Palin or anyone else wanted to be the nominee they should have gone through the primaries and won the delegates
If they didn’t go through ‘the process’-they don’t deserve to be nominated in a brokered convention.
What I said about Gov. Palin applies to Jindal, Ryan, Rubio etc

If Governor Palin or anyone else wanted to be the nominee they should have gone through the primaries and won the delegates
If they didn’t go through ‘the process’-they don’t deserve to be nominated in a brokered convention.
What I said about Gov. Palin applies to Jindal, Ryan, Rubio etc

annoyinglittletwerp on March 20, 2012 at 7:29 PM

That’s not the point….

It’s just amusing that according to the PPP poll coming out tomorrow, Palin’s favorably is higher than any of the candidates running…:)

If Governor Palin or anyone else wanted to be the nominee they should have gone through the primaries and won the delegates
If they didn’t go through ‘the process’-they don’t deserve to be nominated in a brokered convention.
What I said about Gov. Palin applies to Jindal, Ryan, Rubio etc

Good grief…Hot Air is all fluff today. Really, was this the whole idea of a “woman’s perspective” here at HA? I appreciate a fluff article amidst all the serious political news..but really….THIS passes as serious blog material?

She was hot. She popped out 5 kids. She doesn’t have a career (other than being Mrs. Romney on the campaign trail). How exactly is stating the obvious venom?

Sorry, I don’t have any respect for a woman whose entire self is being Mrs. Someone Else. It’s 2012 not 1812.

angryed on March 20, 2012 at 7:31 PM

Ed. Dude. Step back and look. You’ve turned into a troll. You provide nothing anymore. You offer nothing. Your insults are as bad as any liberal here anymore and more often than not they’re parroting what you say. Is this what you were aiming for after posting here all this time?

Ed. Dude. Step back and look. You’ve turned into a troll. You provide nothing anymore. You offer nothing. Your insults are as bad as any liberal here anymore and more often than not they’re parroting what you say. Is this what you were aiming for after posting here all this time?

hawkdriver on March 20, 2012 at 8:16 PM

We should have a whole bunch of quotes and just omit the names to see who made particular comments: liberal4life or angryed. I bet it would be hard to tell the difference.

No attack is too much for Romney or his loved ones to the Great Angryed. He WILL destroy his arch-enemy come hell or high watah!

thebrokenrattle on March 20, 2012 at 7:25 PM

She was hot. She popped out 5 kids. She doesn’t have a career (other than being Mrs. Romney on the campaign trail). How exactly is stating the obvious venom?

Sorry, I don’t have any respect for a woman whose entire self is being Mrs. Someone Else. It’s 2012 not 1812.

angryed on March 20, 2012 at 7:31 PM

Tried to be fair and engage you politely, but this is pointless and rude.

Seriously – you have some interesting ideas and are up on your facts, but take a few days off, get some sunshine and do something that gives you peace and enjoyment. Today hasn’t been a good day for you.

Both Ann Romney & Karen Santorum make me think better of their respective husbands — it is kind of along the lines of “Well, he was smart enough to marry her, so he got something right” and I’m willing to bet that same kind of thinking goes on with most people. Poor Calista, OTOH, we all know she was Newt’s 3rd wive after 2 relatively pubic divorces, so that same kind of thinking doesn’t apply (not, btw, that I have anything personal against Calista — she has always seem perfectly appropriate & gracious when I’ve seen her — but that is the way perception works).

Michelle Obama, however, is a case of people being afraid to criticize the first black FLOTUS lest they be labeled r*cists — hence the over-the-top praise for her clothing (which usually sucks, yet she is made out to be the new Jackie O) etc. It is like they in the MSM are trying to convince us how awesome she is, an advertising, apparently, works on more than half of us. No way would any other pol’s wife be able to get away with the “For the FIRST TIME in my ADULT LIFE” line.